1ST Sgt. John R. Scanlon Jr., US Army Ret., Born October 3, 1924, Parents John R. Sr and Marion Smith Scanlon. He was called home August 13, 2022 to join his wife of 49 years Elizabeth Scanlon and son John R. III.
Survived by his family: Sons Michael Scanlon, Vietnam vet, wife Irene, 1ST Sgt George Scanlon USA Ret. wife Stella, Alfred Scanlon wife Lorraine, Patrick Scanlon wife Julie; his Daughter Marion Treat husband Rod; and Bonnie Scanlon widow of John R. III. He was blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
John was a 31-year veteran who served during WW II with General MacArthur’s Army in the Philippines Campaign, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and he was in the Nike Hercules Missile Program. He was a sports official for football, basketball, baseball, and softball for 50 years. John was inducted into the El Paso Baseball and Softball Hall of Fame as an Umpire. He was a member of the Del Norte Lions Club where he ran the camp for special needs kids. He was a member of the American Legion Eastwood Post 36. He is a Charter Member of their Wall of Honor.
In his 97 years John defended his country, when asked how he felt he referred to this, “as a labor of Love”. He was chosen to officiate many championships. While stationed in Alaska he called their yearly College Basketball Tournament for UA in Fairbanks. UCLA John Wooden was the Head Coach and his center was Lou Alcindor we know now as Kareem Abdul Jabbar. While stationed in Korea and Japan, he umpired baseball and several of those players went on to become MLB players and you may recognize these two, Norm Cash and Boog Powell. John enjoyed playing poker and fishing. He loved his country, raised his family, and lived life his way.
Vigil and Rosary will be Sunday, August 21, 2022, at 6PM at Little Flower Catholic Church, 171 Polo Inn Road, El Paso Texas 79915. Funeral Service will be Monday August 22, 2022, 9:30AM to 10:30AM at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903. Graveside service to follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 11AM with full military honors, 5200 Fred Wilson, El Paso Texas 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Scanlon family.
